Dear Church Family and Community,
It really is amazing to think that our God desires deeply to work with us. God is all-powerful, yet perfectly humble. God holds the universe together but lives to walk hand-in-hand with us. God is altogether whole, yet chooses relationship with us, people who are always just trying to keep ourselves together.
God works with us. We see this in Scripture and in the lives of saints throughout Christian history. God works with us. We see this in our own lives and in how God calls and gifts us to join in the work to be done. God works with us. We know this as not only a great hope and promise, but also as our reality.
One of the ways I have been amazed by God’s work with us in my 12+ years as a congregant and pastor at HBIC has been with our mortgage. Our move to Derry Street was prayerfully made with dreams about the people and the work God called us to.God has used this building in ways that have exceeded our collective hopes. The work we do here, and partnerships we have established, have all been possible because of the building we are blessed to have.
Paying off our mortgage is a testament to God and our people here at HBIC. It is a witness of the call, creativity, and sacrifice this congregation has made to do the work God has for us. So, thank you. Thank you for answering God’s call. Your sacrificial giving of time, talent, and resources continues to propel us forward in beautiful kingdom ways! Thank you for working with God and blessing our church and community!
Last week, we continued our Faith Builders: Lessons from Early Women of Faith series by looking at Shiphrah and Puah. Their witness and boldness in choosing life must inspire us to always do the same. They faced oppression and injustice, and yet they trusted God. They were commanded to kill but chose to obey God alone by choosing life. They loved God and lived to honor God. They help show us the way and inspire us to value all life, from the womb to the tomb. If you missed hearing this message, please be sure to check it out here on our website, or through our sermon podcast on Soundcloud, Google Play, iTunes, or Stitcher.
This week, in our Faith Builders: Lessons from Early Women of Faith series we will get to meet Jochebed. Like Shiphrah and Puah, Jochebed chose life. Unlike Shiphrah and Puah, the life Jochebed chose to save in disobedience of Pharaoh was her own son – the baby who would grow up to be Moses. Without Jochebed, there is no Moses. Without Moses, God would have needed to raise up another. With Jochebed, we have a story of faithfulness, trusting and obeying God, and being dependent on God.
In preparation for our walk with Jochebed this week, please take time to read and pray through Exodus 2:1-10. As you read, think of where you find it easy to trust God. After you read, make a list of the things that are easy for you to entrust to God. Now, make a list of the things that are hard to entrust to God. Finally, take a deep breath and pray. Pray for God to help you increasingly trust Him each day. Pray for increasing sensitivity to God’s leading through the Holy Spirit within, and the Body of Christ all around you. And pray that Jesus will forever be your guide.
Lastly, we received news this week that our dear brother, Bart Smith, is being taken off of his chemotherapy medication. The family is now working with hospice to provide care for him in his home. Please continue to remember Bart in prayer; pray that he would know God’s peace and comfort during this time. Pray also for his family and friends as they continue to love and care for him. Another way you can bless our brother Bart and his family is simply to send a card. In these difficult days, reading words of encouragement and blessing would especially be a special gift to Bart. If you do not have Bart’s address but would like to send a card, please contact the church office.
As always, thank you all for reading. I hope and pray this finds you doing well.
May the Lord continue to bless and keep you all!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Ephesians 2:10)
P: (717) 561-2170, ext. 104
E: pastorhank@harrisburgbic.org